Newcastle United can sign Benjamin Sesko on 'gentleman's agreement' - on one condition

Newcastle United will reportedly consider a move for Benjamin Sesko - if Alexander Isak leaves the club this summer.

The Sweden international Isak has told Newcastle chiefs he wants to explore a move elsewhere, three years after joining for a club-record £63million from Real Sociedad.

Isak wasn’t part of the squad that travelled to Singapore on Thursday morning, with there currently no plans for him to link-up with his teammates later in the tour. The Magpies face Arsenal in Singapore on Sunday before jetting over to Seoul, South Korea, to face the K-League All-Stars and Tottenham Hotspur.

Newcastle say Isak has a “minor thigh issue” but the speculation surrounding his future has people drawing their own conclusions.

Newcastle United don’t want to sell Alexander Isak

United have always maintained that Isak is not for sale, but that stance is now set to be tested.

Liverpool, who made an informal approach last week, retain an interest, despite taking Hugo Ekitike from Newcastle’s grasp, while Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have also been linked, although NewcastleWorld understands that is a non-starter.

It’s understood Liverpool are willing to pay a British record £120million for Isak, though Newcastle value the player closer to £150m.

Newcastle now find themselves in a tough position as they face losing their talisman, who has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances, or keep a player who could potentially be unhappy.

The Times claims Newcastle have held contract negotiations with Isak and his representatives but there has been zero progress with the player seeking £300,000-a-week.

United are willing to make Isak the best-paid player in their history but due to Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) are restricted to what they can offer.

Newcastle United consider move for Benjamin Sesko

If Isak leaves, Newcastle could consider a move for Slovenian striker Sesko, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Italian journalist claims Sesko has a “gentleman’s agreement” with Leipzig to leave for a fixed fee between £60m to £69m, plus £4m or £8m in add-ons.

Sesko had previously been linked with Arsenal before they signed Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon. The 22-year-old joined RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 and has scored 39 goals in 87 appearances.

“My understanding is that Benjamin Sesko has the possibility, thanks to a gentleman’s agreement with RB Leipzig, to drop his price tag this summer for a club considered by the player as a special club,” Romano told watches on his YouTube channel.

“Sesko could cost a transfer fee around 70-80 million euros fixed fee plus 5-10 million euros in add-ons. This is the range of the potential pricing.

“And this only can be activated thanks to a gentleman’s agreement if Sesko goes to Leipzig and says, ‘okay, this club wants me, I like that, I want to go’. In that case, the price can be slightly reduced to 70-80 million euros, this is the range fixed, 5-10 million euros in add-ons,

“So let's see what happens with Sesko because if Alexander Isak leaves, it can be an option for Newcastle. He's a player really appreciated by Newcastle, the recruitment team already wanted him a long time ago, and he could be an option.

“Newcastle are now working on finding an eventual replacement for Alexander Isak, so Sesko could be one of the options.”

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